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Is Sexting Cheating?

Is Sexting Cheating. With modern technology comes modern ways of cheating. But is sexting a lewd picture or naughty message cheating if there isn’t a physical affair?

What is sexting?

Sexting is essentially engaging in sexual conversations with people over the phone. The word itself is a play on “sex” and “texting.” Sexting can be a way to spice up a relationship, but it can be detrimental if one partner is sexting someone outside of the relationship.

These conversations can range in severity. Anything from flirtatious texts with sexual nature, illicit audio clips, sending suggestive or nude photographs, having explicit video calls, and messaging sexual fantasies counts as sexting.

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Does sexting lead to physical affairs?

Most people associate cheating with a physical affair, so there is no shame in wondering whether sexting leads to one. While every case of sexting won’t automatically lead to physical affairs, most definitely have the intent to.

Sexting is a sign of discontent in a relationship. When someone engages in sexual conversations with another person, disinterest in their partner makes them take an interest outside of their relationship.

So while sexting begins as virtual, there is a very high chance it would lead to an in-person affair if the opportunity presented itself.

With this being said, if someone who is having a sexting affair sees their behavior as excusable, they likely see physical affairs as excusable too.

So, is sexting cheating?

Now, what if there is no physical cheating? What if it’s just texting? Does it still count? While some may argue the right answer to this question, we think the truth is pretty clear.

Yes. Sexting is definitely cheating—here’s why:

1. It’s a betrayal

There are many forms of cheating, ranging from physical to emotional. But what all of these types have in common is that there is a betrayal. Betrayal of trust, monogamy, and betrayal of intimacy. Just because sexting is virtual doesn’t make it any less valid.

If the person in the relationship is sexting someone outside of the relationship, then they have betrayed their partner by desiring someone else over them. Simple as.

2. It’s giving sexual attention to someone outside of the relationship

The question of whether sexting is cheating gets confusing because cheating is commonly associated with having physical sexual relations outside of one’s relationship.

So, to determine if sexting is cheating, you have to see sexting for what it is: giving sexual attention outside of the relationship.

Even if sexual attention comes in the form of text messages, videos, or fantasy, it’s still sex. If your relationship has boundaries that state you’re a committed, monogamous couple, then sexting is absolutely breaking those boundaries.

3. There’s emotional involvement

Not every case of cheating involves sexual infidelity. In fact, emotional involvement plays a huge role in cheating. Fidelity means loyalty and loyalty in a relationship means not becoming emotionally involved elsewhere.

Shifting your focus to people outside of your relationship takes away from how you feel toward your current partner.

So you can’t devote yourself fully to your partner if you’re emotionally involved with someone else. That’s not loyalty, plain and simple.

4. It’s been kept a secret

If the sexting was kept a secret from your relationship, it’s cheating. This is a clear sign that the sexting relationship is valued over the real one, which is an immediate indication of betrayal.

Healthy relationships are built on open communication and trust. And we typically hide things when we know they’re wrong to avoid consequences. So if sexting is done in secrecy, it was known to damage the relationship yet it was still done anyways. Remember, if you’re hiding it, you shouldn’t be doing it.

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